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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What made the agricultural officer dream for a Forest Station?

2. What does Gitoko's mother's hut remind Mugo of?

3. Why does General R. visit Mugo in "Chapter 3"?

4. In "Chapter 4", how many women does Karanja say he has loved?

5. Who did Mugo live with after he was orphaned?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrator say Gikonyo courted Mumbi?

2. How does Mugo feel about the old woman in the village?

3. In "Chapter 3," what makes Gikonyo want to visit with Mugo?

4. How does the narrator say Wambui avoided getting in trouble with officials in "Chapter 3"?

5. In "Chapter 5," what does Mrs. Thompson remember about Van Dyke?

6. How does Gikonyo's father throwing him and his mother out change him?

7. How does Mugo feel about giving speeches in "Chapter 6"?

8. How does Mr. Thompson help Karanja with the dog in "Chapter 4"?

9. In "Chapter 2," what explanation is given for the Movement?

10. In "Chapter 2," how do Kenyans feel about women rulers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gikonyo's story is considered tragic by the narrator. Is Gikonyo tragic? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Consider the romantic relationships in "A Grain of Wheat." How are they influenced by politics?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the author's use of flashback in this novel. Several characters have flashbacks to the beginning of the Emergency and of the Movement. How does this device work? Is it effective or ineffective? Why?

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